Ball and runway toy and handle therefor



Oct. 21, 1952 M. P., MARONG BALL AND RUNWAY TOY AND HANDLE THEREFOR Filed Nov. 17, 1950 l0 Inventor Mi Me! I? Marong WW4; 15m

Patented Oct. 21, 1952 i119;

UNITED 'S'TATES PATENT LOFF'ICE l. r

2,614,36l ,1 al

1 BALL ANDLRUNWAY TOY AND HANDLE E Michael P. Marong, ,WarsaW, N. Y. I i ApplicationNovernber 17, 1950, Serial m ma 2 Claims. (01; 4643) ,My invention relates to improvements in ball and runway toys-and more particularly to handles therefor.

The primary object of my invention is to provide in such toys an inexpensive handle for an annular ball runway member and which is adjustable selectively into a number of different set positions to facilitate manipulating the runway member in a manner to cause a ball to run around the member while said member is held in different positions so as to make the toy more interesting.

Other and subordinate objects, within the purview of my invention, together with the precise nature of my improvements, will be readily understood when the succeeding description and claims are read with reference to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in plan of my improved toy in the prefered embodiment thereof;

Figure 2 is a view in edge elevation;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in transverse section taken on the line 44 of Figure 1 and drawn to a larger scale.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, according to my invention as illustrated, an internally grooved, annular runway member I, in which a ball 2 is caused to roll by manipulation of said member, is provided with a straight flat handle bar 3 of resilient material, preferably a plastic.

The handlebar 3 is pivotally mounted at one end to said runway member I at one side thereof. The mounting for the handlebar 3 comprises a disk end 4 on said bar'and a rivet 5 extending through the center of said disk end 4 and through a radial external ear 6 on said runway member I, the arrangement being such that the handle bar 3 is swingable in a plane parallel to that of the runway member I into overlying diametrical relation to said runway member, or, into different angular positions at one side of said runway member tangential thereto.

Snap action detent means is provided for yieldingly locking the handlebar 3 in its different positions.

The snap action detent means comprises a circular series of ball members 1 between the disk end 4 of the handlebar 3 and the ear 6 grouped around the rivet 5 concentrically, and complemental punched out arcuate sockets 8 in said disk end 4 in which 'said'ball members! are adapted to seat. Resilient plugs 9; preferably of rubber, fitted in cylindrical sockets III in the ear 6 yieldingly urge the ball members I, which project part way into the sockets Ill, outwardly of said sockets I0 into the sockets 8.

Coacting devices are provided on the free end of the handlebar 3 and on said runway member i for yieldingly locking the handlebar 3 to said runway member I, with a snap action, when said handlebar 3 is swung into diametrical relation to said runway member I. For this purpose, the free end of the handlebar l is provided with a hooked flange, or end, II adapted to be positioned by swinging of the handlebar 3 into straddling relation to one side edge of the runway member I when the handlebar 3 is swung into diametrical relation. An external lug I2 on said runway member I is provided for snapping into a slot E3 in said flange II when the handlebar 3 is in diametrical relation to the runway member I.

As will be seen, the handlebar 3, in addition to being swingable into diametrical relation to the runway member I, may also be swung into radial outstanding position relative to said member, as well as into different tangential positions relative to said member so that by setting said handlebar and grasping the same, the runway member may be held in a number of difierent positions relative to a hand grasping said handlebar so as to render the toy interesting in manipulating the same to cause the ball 2 to run around said runway member I. To facilitate grasping the handlebar 3, the same may be serrated, as indicated at I4.- 7

The foregoing will, it is believed, sufiice to impart a clear understanding of my invention without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention, as described, is susceptible of modification, without departing from the inventive concept, and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall within the scope said member, snap action means on said member and the other end of said bar for yieldingly retaining said bar in diametrical relation to said member comprising a slotted resilient hook on said other end of the bar adapted to straddle said member, and a lug on said member for engaging said slot, and coacting snap action detent devices on said ear and disk for yieldingly retaining said bar in difierent positions when swung out of diametrical relation to said member.

2. An annular internally grooved ball runway member for manipulation to cause a ball in the groove to roll around the same; a radial ear extending from said member coplanar therewith.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 10 me of a handle bar, a pivot extending through one end 15 retaining said bar .in rdiametr-ical relation to said UNITED STATES PATENTS Number I Name Date 66,173 Robinson June 25, 1867 680,917 Helling Aug. 20, 1901 1372,322 Peterson et a1. Aug. 5, 1930 1,929,644: Le Roy Oct. 10, 1933 2,230,771 Wiitshire Feb. 4, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 478,710 Germany 1928 

